In one embodiment of a tile and support structure, the tile and support structure may be configured to engage a tile such that the tile is oriented in a generally vertical plane. The support structure may include a riser tile engaged with both an upper riser support structure and a lower riser support structure.

Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing and appear seamless to an observer. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, flush or forming a substantively uniform plane with roof panels or other panels mimicking a solar panel appearance. Pans supporting BIPV solar panels can be coupled by standing seams, in both lateral and longitudinal directions, to other photovoltaic-supporting pans or pans supporting non-photovoltaic structures, having both functional and aesthetic advantages. In some configurations, the appearance of BIPV systems can be particularly aesthetically pleasing and generally seamless to an observer.

Described herein is a solar roof tile system (102) for a building. The system (102) includes a supporting structure (108) adapted to be mounted to the building and having one or more supporting formations (110, 112) for supportively engaging one or more solar roof tiles (104). The solar roof tiles (104) are adapted to be releasably engaged with the supporting structure (108) such that the solar roof tiles (104) can be independently released from the roof (100) without removing adjacent solar or non-solar roof tiles (106). Each of the solar roof tiles (104) include one or more electrical junction boxes (152, 154) disposed on an underside surface (150) for receiving electrical cables to form an electric circuit with others of the one or more solar roof tiles (104) and an inverter. The supporting formations (110) are fixedly mounted to the building and adapted to releasably support the one or more solar roof tiles (104) in respective operative positions, and wherein each supporting formation is electrically connected to an earthing circuit.

A modular partition system comprises a plurality of panels and at least one connecting strip. Each of the plurality of panels comprises two support members extending generally perpendicularly to a plane of the modular partition system and a central panel extending between said two support panels. The plurality of panels are arranged such that the central panels of each of the plurality of panels are generally mutually parallel and one support member of each of the plurality of panels is adjacent to a support member of an adjacent panel. The at least one connecting strip cooperates with a support member from each of two of the plurality of adjacent panels so as to connect said two of the plurality of adjacent panels.

A wall (or roof) system includes: an exterior sheathing covers a frame, a plurality of spaced apart battens are affixed on the sheathing, and a siding in contact with the battens. Each batten includes: a backweb having two sides and a length, a plurality of elongated piers upstanding on each side of the backweb, each pier running the length of the backweb, and each pier having a distal surface, and a first air flow channel defined between adjacent piers and a horizontal pier cutting through adjacent piers. Air flows between airspaces created between the exterior sheathing and the siding by the batten. Air also flows through the first air flow channel and this air flow may reduce moisture entrapment between the batten and the siding or the exterior sheathing. The batten may also have a second air flow channel at an angle to the first air flow channel.

Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing and appear seamless to an observer. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, flush or forming a substantively uniform plane with roof panels or other panels mimicking a solar panel appearance. Pans supporting BIPV solar panels can be coupled by standing seams, in both lateral and longitudinal directions, to other photovoltaic-supporting pans or pans supporting non-photovoltaic structures, having both functional and aesthetic advantages. In some configurations, adjacent photovoltaic modules may be oriented so that a boundary between an up-roof photovoltaic module and a down-roof photovoltaic module is not noticeable by observers positioned at typical viewing angles of the roof.

The present disclosure relates generally to roofing structures, for example, suitable for covering houses and other structures. The present disclosure relates more particularly to a roofing structure including a decking layer, a base layer, a cap layer, and a plurality of rails disposed over the cap layer. The base layer includes a plurality of strips that form seams including a first base layer seam. The cap layer also includes a plurality of strips that form seams including a first cap layer seam that is spaced from the first base layer seam. The rails include a first rail that is aligned with the first base layer seam and a second rail that is aligned with the first cap layer seam.

Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing and appear seamless to an observer. BIPV systems can be on-roof systems, elevated from the surface of a roof, being flush or forming a substantively uniform plane with roof panels or other panels mimicking a solar panel appearance. Pans supporting BIPV solar panels can be coupled by standing seams to other photovoltaic-supporting pans or pans supporting non-photovoltaic structures, having both functional and aesthetic advantages. In some configurations, inverted seams can couple photovoltaic-supporting pans and non-photovoltaic structures, forming a substantively planar surface. In some configurations, the appearance of BIPV systems can be particularly aesthetically pleasing and generally seamless to an observer.

Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays with improved aesthetics and efficiency that can replace conventional roof structures. BIPV mounting systems described herein allow for improved versatility and ease of installation as compared to conventional approaches. Such BIPV mounting systems can include photovoltaic (PV) roof tiles with separate mechanical coupling features and electrical contact portions for use with tile connectors having both mechanical and electrical coupling features. Such PV tiles can be mechanically and electrically coupled in series through the tile connectors without requiring wire bussing between adjacent PV roof tiles and the tile connectors can be slidable within a batten bracket to easily accommodate PV roof tiles of differing dimensions.

In one aspect of a tile and support structure, a support structure may be engaged with a top portion of a pedestal. The support structure may be formed with a generally vertical spine having at least one rail extending outward from a distal end thereof. The spine and rail(s) may be configured to secure one or more tiles, which tiles may be formed with a groove on at least one edge thereof, and wherein one or more rails may be positioned within the groove.